Does Your Home Constantly Feel Humid? 4 Steps to Relieve the Issue

In addition to being uncomfortable, high indoor humidity is also a health hazard. Extra moisture in the air can exacerbate a wide variety of respiratory issues ranging from asthma to COPD. Here is a look at a few simple projects that will lower the humidity levels inside your home and improve your overall comfort.

Seal up Your Home

Lowering your home’s humidity levels will be nearly impossible if there are dozens of cracks and pinholes in the walls. At least once every few months, you should inspect all of the interior and exterior walls for any signs of damage. You can also look for cracks around doors, windows, vents, outlets, and pipes. Sealing those openings should take no more than a few hours with a caulking gun and some all-purpose caulking.

Upgrade Your HVAC System

If your HVAC system is more than a decade old, then you should consider having it replaced. Older systems are incredibly inefficient, and yours might be pumping extra moisture into your home. Some newer systems even have built-in dehumidifiers that allow you to automatically adjust your humidity levels. An air conditioning replacement specialist can help you find an HVAC system that is both efficient and airtight. Once the new system has been installed, it should be serviced at least twice a year by a licensed HVAC contractor.

Use Exhaust Vents and Fans

Some of your daily habits could be increasing your indoor humidity levels more than you realize. Whenever you take hot showers or boil water, you should always use exhaust fans or crack the windows. You also need to open a window or turn on a ceiling fan whenever you wash your dishes. Moisture won’t be able to escape your home if all of the vents, windows, and doors are closed.

Install a Vapor Barrier

Foundations, walls, and roofs might seem solid, but they are actually quite porous. Installing a vapor barrier is a relatively simple process as long as you can easily access most of the crawlspaces throughout your home. A vapor barrier is nothing more than a thin layer of plastic that keeps moisture at bay. That type of barrier will be especially beneficial if you have exposed dirt directly under the foundation of your home.

In addition to these few projects, you might also want to invest in a few smaller dehumidifiers to temporary relieve the issue. Those devices are extremely inexpensive and work great in smaller bedrooms and studies.

Author's Bio:

Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.